Countdown To A Picture-Perfect New Year's Eve Buffet

Tips for a hip, no-stress bash that will start the New Year off right

On a night known for hyped expectations and over-priced entertainment, there is no place party planner, Maria McBride, would rather be than home. "Besides being more affordable," she says, "it's the best way to talk to your friends, lounge, and nibble at leisure. Plus, there's no curfew!" But staying in doesn't have to mean keeping it low-key.

Planning and Prep

Set your menu
"A buffet is best for New Year's," McBride says. "It looks great, and it's the easiest way to feed a crowd." Since it's likely to be a late night, ask guests to arrive around 9 p.m. and suggest that they bring their favorite side dish, appetizer or bottle of wine or liquor. That leaves the main courses to you. McBride suggests meat dishes and carb-heavy casseroles. Meats are a great anchor for the buffet, and high-carb plates are appropriate, since guests will likely be drinking. An easy meat choice is a spiral baked ham, she says. It's pre-cooked and pre-sliced, so all you have to do is heat it and let guests peel off a layer.

Select drinks
"Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!" McBride says. "New Year's is the one night you have to have something sparkling." To really impress your guests, plan a champagne bar, by buying mixers like fruit juices and purées. "It's a fun way to do champagne a little differently," she says. Buy spirits ahead of time, so you miss the New Year's Eve rush, and grab a couple of bottles of a sparkling cider or grape juice to accommodate any guests who don't drink.

Consider the decor
Since we're still in the throes of the holiday season, almost all of your decorating is done, McBride says. Remove any boughs or branches that don't look their best from your holiday décor, but otherwise keep things merry. For the buffet table, leave ample room for food, tableware, and cutlery. McBride suggests using a tall candelabra or hurricane vase for a centerpiece, and accenting the rest of the table with votives and tea lights of different sizes. Silver confetti serves as the final layer that makes your holiday table New Year's-appropriate.

Countdown to Midnight

5 p.m.: Set the table
If you are using your dining room table as the buffet base camp, move the chairs surrounding it to another room. This way traffic can flow easily once guests arrive, and people don't sit and linger by the food. Place plenty of plates at one end of the table, and rolled up sets of flatware at the other, so guests will have their hands free while dishing up.

7 p.m.: Take a breather
"Give yourself plenty of time to get ready," McBride says. "You'll want a chance to get spruced up without worrying about running around and cleaning house."

8:30 p.m.: Break out the bubbly
Champagne should chill on ice for thirty minutes, so fill a bucket and add a few bottles. Put extras in the fridge, after an hour they will be ready to serve and replace any empties.

9 p.m.: Dish out the fare
Light all your candles, and finish the table with a smattering of confetti. As guests arrive, set out any juices for the champagne bar, water, and other wines or liquors; then bring out the foods.

10:30 p.m.: Clean and consolidate
"Go through and tidy up," McBride says. With a little more than an hour until midnight, use this time to clear out any empty plates and glasses so the table still looks chic for stragglers or late-arrivers. And make sure to grab a plate for yourself if you haven't already.

11 p.m.: Get the party started
Music should be kept fairly low while guests eat and converse but as the New Year quickly approaches, feel free to crank up the tunes and rock out, McBride says (as long as you are considerate of your neighbors, of course).

11:50 p.m.: 10 minutes and counting…
"Keep an eye on the clock," McBride says. "Between drinking and eating, it can be easy to lose track of time." Use the last ten minutes to turn on a TV so you can watch the countdown, snag your special someone for a New Year's kiss, and refill champagne glasses (including yours).

12 a.m.: Cheers!
Clink glasses, kiss a loved one, and welcome the New Year. For an added touch, McBride suggests having sparklers on-hand to light for a festive moment. Other than that, relax, have fun, and enjoy the New Year in style.

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